Why I have a fondness for the Buck 110 Folding Hunter 6663

I haven't found the weight of a Buck 110 to be an issue. Worn in a belt sheath, the Buck 110 disappears. It is a bit big for pocket carry, although I have done that as well. If I were planning on a 3000 mile hike, I'd probably think about a smaller, lighter knife. Nevertheless, I have carried a 110 on hunts and shorter hikes and never thought that I needed a lighter knife. (Lighter boots or lighter rifle, yes!)

I actually like the heft and feel of the venerable 110. The balance point, back in the handle, makes the blade feel light and lively to me. The handle provides a nice full grip. Probably one of the reason people have the impression the Buck 110 is a "Foldable fixed blade."

All knife designs involve some sort of compromise. A Chef's knife isn't a Fillet knife. The crucial thing is to find a knife that works for you. If the Buck is too heavy, look elsewhere. There are lots of thin and light-weight options out there. I just never saw the appeal.

Outdated? Nah. Just a solid knife that has stood the test of time. One might just as well say that the Food processor has made the Chef's knife outdated. No, the Buck 110 is still razor sharp and a brilliant knife to use.

At what point did they change from 440C to 420HC and does history report why they made the change? Were the knives always hollow ground as they are today? I know the hollow saber grind on the smaller knives like the 301 Stockman is newer, it used to be a full FFG in days gone past.

I belt shealth carry a Mercator everyday, it is light and thin so it is working for me very well. The design had been around for 150 years so I would say it passed the test of time. 110’s Scales are made very thick for the sake of comfortable in hand, but also made it it uncomdfortable to carry. The choice of using brass on 110 never sit well with me, it is heavy, soft and tarnish quickly. Look at the new 2018 110 lite, less than 50% of its oringal weight. Not as classy but a better tool.

Never less the 110 remains as an icon of its time, and that time is passed. Nowadays we have knives that is 0.36” thick, 3.1oz with 4” blade.

There is a paperstone 110 version that is about half the weight, with similar strength. I posted the weights some time ago, somewhere in MTO. I think a paperstone 110 and a paperstone 112 weight the same as a normal 110

In BF the claim i have seen is that the newer ones are not as strong/solid as the older ones, which is why many pay a premium for older versions, of the same knife.. I have a few but do not actually use them to know their limits.

This post took me back a few years, to when I was a kid that wanted one badly but couldn't raise the money for one and had a cheap Pakistani lookalike for a brief period of time. Well....my son (Spartan 19) has one and it's riding alongside my GAK at the moment on my belt. Tomorrow I'm going to have my own!

Glad you enjoyed it Barry. That is cool to find out that Spartan 19 is your son.Tomorrow will be a great day!

I actually like the heft and feel of the venerable 110. The balance point, back in the handle, makes the blade feel light and lively to me. The handle provides a nice full grip. Probably one of the reason people have the impression the Buck 110 is a "Foldable fixed blade."https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=profile;u=9851

All knife designs involve some sort of compromise.

Outdated? Nah. Just a solid knife that has stood the test of time. No, the Buck 110 is still razor sharp and a brilliant knife to use.

At what point did they change from 440C to 420HC and does history report why they made the change? Were the knives always hollow ground as they are today?

Buck used 440C until 1981, then they switched to 425M from 1981 til 1992, and finally switched to 420C in 1994.

"The short answer for why Buck quit using 440C is that Buck wanted to fine blank their blades and 425M was suitable and 440C wasn't; they started fineblanking with 425M and moved to 420HC a decade later."

At what point did they change from 440C to 420HC and does history report why they made the change? Were the knives always hollow ground as they are today?

Buck used 440C until 1981, then they switched to 425M from 1981 til 1992, and finally switched to 420C in 1993.

"The short answer for why Buck quit using 440C is that Buck wanted to fine blank their blades and 425M was suitable and 440C wasn't; they started fineblanking with 425M and moved to 420HC a decade later."

The Buck 110 has always been hollow ground.

Has anyone done a comparison of the different metals used in what is essentially the same knife? I'm sure it was talked about at the time of the transition.

Has anyone done a comparison of the different metals used in what is essentially the same knife? I'm sure it was talked about at the time of the transition.

Here is a quote from an interview with Chuck Buck Senior:

It took me a little while to pin Chuck Sr down with all his travel, but here it is...

"My grandfather and father did make knives out of files up to 1961 when we incorporated. Grandpa Hoyt died in 1949 and my father continued making the knives using Lignum Vitae wood for the handles. In the 40s he used Lucite and you know how that looks with the new Buck replica Hoyt Buck knife.

For the collectors, all of these wood handle and Lucite knives were made primarily out of files. Few were power hacksaw blades. You are correct that in 1961 we started using 440C, which is a very high-carbon, high chrome steel. I think the carbon is at 1.02 with a chrome of about 18%. It was an excellent steel but the carbides on the edge were very large and dulled reasonable quick. That is why we moved to the 425 modified (around 1985) so that the homogenized steel with the smaller carbides would not affect the edge so badly when they wore off the edge. (We went to 420hc in 1994) "

At what point did they change from 440C to 420HC and does history report why they made the change?

Keep in mind, too, that the 110 is now available in S30V, and, though harder to find, 5160. And Paul Bos does their heat treating for those. I think the 420HC they use now is still heat treated in-house. With the procedure designed by Bos--don't quote me on that--to include a cryogenic cooling treatment after being quenched. Not all 420HC is created the same; Buck seems to get this steel right.

I live in Indiana in the US and there is not limit on blade length here.

In Montana towns and cities, a knife with a blade over 4" (~10.2 cm) is considered a conceal weapon, if worn concealed under your clothing. 'Switchblades' or Automatic knives are illegal. Any sized knife or sword can be carried about if it's not concealed. Dangerous weapons are banned from schools.

Outside of towns and cities, or if you have a CCW permit, you can carry whatever you like, however you like....except a switchblade. No Buck 110 Automatics for me. Not that I'd want one anyway.

Keep in mind, too, that the 110 is now available in S30V, and, though harder to find, 5160. And Paul Bos does their heat treating for those. I think the 420HC they use now is still heat treated in-house. With the procedure designed by Bos--don't quote me on that--to include a cryogenic cooling treatment after being quenched. Not all 420HC is created the same; Buck seems to get this steel right.

You are correct about the Bos heat treat and that not all 420HC heat treat is the same. Bos figured out how to get the most out of whatever type of steel he heat treated.